HABITUAL POSTURE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XII, 21 March 1896, Page 334

HABITUAL POSTURE.

Comparatively few persons have both sides of the body of perfectly similar proportions. One leg or one arm is shorter than the other. The two sides of the head are often of unequal size. Few persons have ears of an equal size and symmetrically placed. The size and position of the eyes vary. In the mouth and throat also we find inequality, and the cartilage separating the two nasal cavities is oftener deflected than vertical. This condition of inequality in the two sides of the body is called asymmetry. Those who have observed the effects of school life on bodily development must have noticed the influence of habitual posture on the symmetry and health of the body. There is a tendency among school children, and especially among school girls, to assume habitat postures both in sitting and standing. The habit of throwing all the weight of the body on one leg produces a corresponding throwing of the upper part of the body toward the opposite side in order to establish the necessary equilibrium. This tends, of course, to curve the spinal column, on which the upper part of the body is supported. In this position the body and all the internal organs are thrown out of their normal vertical position, and the force of gravity still further exaggerates the result. Thus the muscles of the neck are unevenly exercised in the unconscious balancing of the head upon the vertebral column. Even the muscles of the face tend to become unevenly contracted, and this, in time, develops a condition of asymmetry of the face. It is a well-known physiological law that the use of a muscle causes an increase in its size, while neglect causes it to become smaller. The steady use of the same arm in carrying a set of heavy books to and from school, the propping of one arm on a table, or the excessive use of one arm or leg and the disuse of the other—each such habit slowly but surely brings about its own result, unless effort be made to counteract it. The growing age is more subject than any other to such influences but every age is directly and powerfully influenced by any occupation or habit which tends to the exclusive exercise of certain muscles, or to the habitual taking of a certain posture. Clay Eaters of Georgia.—That the oily white clayconsumed by these strange people possesses life-giving qualities is proved by the fact that they are very longlived, many reaching the age of ninety and above. Upon arising in the morning the first thing they do is to eat a considerable quantity ot clay, which seems to stimulate them. Later in the day, if they happen to have it, they partake of a very small quantity of nourishing food. TO DARKEN GREY HAIR. Lockyer’s Sulphur Hair Restorer, quickest, safest, best; restores the natural colour. Lockyer’s, the real English Hair Restorer Large bottles, is 6d, everywhere—(Advt)